Abstract: Items that require authentication, such as coupons or tickets are printed with a data carrier such as a data matrix or an RFID device. Encoded on the data carrier is a value based token, which comprises a header, a payload and a security portion. The header identifies the token type and also includes a unique identification of the token. A PIN flag may also be included. The payload may be encrypted and contain data which gives an authorised party access to a portion of a databases that stores information corresponding to the token identifier. The security portion may comprise a hash or a digital signature.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A new method for converting the kinetic energy of wind or water flows into electric energy, comprising wings or sails which are mounted on swing arms or on guide rails in such a way that the air or water flow induces an oscillatory wing or sail motion with a phase angle between the wing's or sail's pitch and plunge motion of about ninety degrees. Stroke reversal of the oscillatory motion is initiated by a purely aerodynamic/hydrodynamic mechanism such that the air or water flow induces a pitching moment on the wing or sail which rotates the wing or sail and thereby reverses the lift acting on the wing or sail.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: Personalised money may be produced on-line and carry an identifier having at least a first and a second data set. The first data set may represent a unique item identifier and the second data set other item related information. Both data sets are encrypted and printed on the money, for example encoded in a data matrix symbol. The user may present the printed money for redemption at which point the data matrix symbol is scanned to retrieve the encrypted data sets. The data set including the unique identifier may be sent to a remote location for decryption and comparison against a stored identifier. The second data set may be decrypted and compared locally. Different encryption may be used for the two data sets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food pack for a companion (or pet) animal. The food pack comprises at least two vessels. A first vessel holds a first pet food product and a second vessel holds a second pet food product. The composition of the food products in the two vessels are different. A third vessel holding a third pet food product may also be present. In a particular embodiment, the composition of the food products in two vessels differ in fat energy content by at least 5% of the total calorific value of each product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dietary regime for a companion animal. The dietary regime comprises feeding the companion animal a food product which is designed for administration for a particular event. The present invention includes a sequence of products for feeding at prescribed times or in a prescribed order to accommodate a physiological need or modify a physiological response.

Abstract: A low speed alternating current motor having motor shaft speeds of about 300 is provided, and such motor has application in numerous industries and devices, such as, for example, in top drive drilling systems. Because of the low shaft speed, mechanical speed reduction equipment may not be necessary. In addition, the motor shaft may be hollow to facilitate the flow of fluid, such as, for example, drilling mud.

Abstract: A diode-pumped laser with a direct edge coupling of a pump beam is provided. The laser includes a microchip laser cavity optically pumped by a laser diode emitting an astigmatic pump beam having a substantially elliptical beam cross-section at an output laser diode facet. The microchip laser cavity is disposed at a substantial distance exceeding 0.001? from the laser diode pump where the astigmatic pump beam has a greatly reduced ellipticity, providing high laser output efficiency without coupling lens element between the laser cavity and the laser diode pump. The pumping arrangement is favourable for single-mode lasing. In some embodiments, the laser cavity includes nonlinear crystal for intra-cavity SHG, a saturable absorber for passive Q-switching and mode locking, and a polarizing prism.

Abstract: The light transmitted and reflected by all-dielectric optically variable pigments varies according to viewing angle. The color travel of an all-dielectric optically variable pigment depends on amplitude changes and wavelength shifts in reflectance peaks of the pigment. The width and center wavelength of reflectance peaks can be controlled by selecting the ratio of thicknesses between high-index and low-index layers in a thin film stack. Reflectance peaks can regenerate or become suppressed and shift with tilt angle, thus providing a wide variety of color trajectories.

Abstract: A diode-pumped laser with a direct edge coupling of a pump beam is provided. The laser includes a microchip laser cavity optically pumped by a laser diode emitting an astigmatic pump beam having a substantially elliptical beam cross-section at an output laser diode facet. The microchip laser cavity is disposed at a substantial distance exceeding 0.001? from the laser diode pump where the astigmatic pump beam has a greatly reduced ellipticity, providing high laser output efficiency without coupling lens element between the laser cavity and the laser diode pump. The pumping arrangement is favourable for single-mode lasing. In some embodiments, the laser cavity includes nonlinear crystal for intra-cavity SHG, a saturable absorber for passive Q-switching and mode locking, and a polarizing prism.

Abstract: A body fat measurement system for mammals includes means for measuring first and second body dimensions having a high correlation with body fat and low correlation respectively. A lookup table provides an output of the percentage body fat on input of the first and second dimensions.

Abstract: The light transmitted and reflected by all-dielectric optically variable pigments varies according to viewing angle. The color travel of an all-dielectric optically variable pigment depends on amplitude changes and wavelength shifts in reflectance peaks of the pigment. The width and center wavelength of reflectance peaks can be controlled by selecting the ratio of thicknesses between high-index and low-index layers in a thin film stack. Reflectance peaks can regenerate or become suppressed and shift with tilt angle, thus providing a wide variety of color trajectories.

Abstract: Multilayer chromatic diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes include single layer or multiple layer flakes that have a diffractive structure formed on a surface thereof. The multiple layer flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The diffractive pigment flakes can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes include single layer or multiple layer flakes that have a diffractive structure formed on a surface thereof. The multiple layer flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The diffractive pigment flakes can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Multilayer chromatic diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.

Abstract: Achromatic multilayer diffractive pigment flakes and foils are provided having diffractive structures thereon. The diffractive pigment flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, an asymmetrical stacked coating structure on one side of a reflective layer, or can be formed with one or more encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The foils can be laminated to various objects or can be formed on a carrier substrate. The diffractive pigment flakes and foils can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects. The diffractive foils and diffractive compositions applied to an object exhibit an iridescent diffractive effect over an achromatic background.

Abstract: A medication delivery and monitoring system and methods whereby drugs are safely delivered to a patient, monitored in real-time during delivery and crucial events are recorded during delivery to provide real-time, on-line information and detail for an audit trail. A novel safety label cradle unit is disclosed. Safety label cradles (SLC's) are provided in a plurality of sizes to match varying sizes of syringes which are disposed on a cradle of the SLC to provide a constant needle height on the SLC unit independent of syringe volume (barrel diameter). A selected SLC is securely affixed to a syringe by an adhesively backed label wrapping. The label is preprinted to provide drug identification indicia and drug preparation information. The information is automatically read into the system from the label. A novel delivery station of the system monitors drug delivery as a plunger of the syringe is pushed to deliver a drug to a patient.